Why is a total joint replacement necessary?
This is a degenerative process which directly results in the wearing out of cartilage on the joint surface. Over time, the joint surface slowly erodes, resulting in a painful joint when it moves and bears weight. There might be a fixed position of the hip in flexion. Pain is mostly localised in the groin and/or thigh region (front, inner or outer side) and may refer to the knee as well. There even may be low back pain. Pain is gradually worsening in intensity and duration and becomes finally permanent, even at night. The range of motion of the hip joint becomes really disabling when one is not able anymore to put on socks or knot shoelaces.
